Stories posted under Pinkbike Community blogs are not edited, vetted, or approved by the Pinkbike editorial team. These are stories from Pinkbike users.
If a blog post is offensive or violates the Terms of Services, please report the blog to Community moderators.
Old enough to know better, young enough to get away with it (just)
Abbeyford Woods 27-07-2011 @ 20:45. My first proper crash in a very long time.
Thought for the day, "if it doesn't look wide enough to get through, it probably isn't". Riding high speed singletrack in the woods, saddle down, going for it... the trail splits momentarily to go around a small tree. The slower route goes around to to the right, yet there is a tempting nip-through between said tree and another smaller one. The smaller tree (on the left) is inclined towards the other one at aprox. 45 deg angle, but the route through implies a continuation of speed and line, so I go for it without slowing down. Left end of bars hits smaller tree, front wheel swings round and (what bikers dub) a tank slapper ensues. I continue forwards, but now downwards at my original speed (~15mph) and smash into the ground with my right shoulder, ribs and hip. Ouch.
Wind knocked out of my sails, a sore finger from getting it caught on the brake lever during dismount and a very bruisd pride (I could have sworn it was wide enough). Looking forward to seeing the bruise on my hip and shoulder tomorrow...guess I was lucky not to dislocate or break anything really. On the plus side, I now know the brand new SPDs are set at the right tension to release.
Thought for the day, "if it doesn't look wide enough to get through, it probably isn't". Riding high speed singletrack in the woods, saddle down, going for it... the trail splits momentarily to go around a small tree. The slower route goes around to to the right, yet there is a tempting nip-through between said tree and another smaller one. The smaller tree (on the left) is inclined towards the other one at aprox. 45 deg angle, but the route through implies a continuation of speed and line, so I go for it without slowing down. Left end of bars hits smaller tree, front wheel swings round and (what bikers dub) a tank slapper ensues. I continue forwards, but now downwards at my original speed (~15mph) and smash into the ground with my right shoulder, ribs and hip. Ouch.
Wind knocked out of my sails, a sore finger from getting it caught on the brake lever during dismount and a very bruisd pride (I could have sworn it was wide enough). Looking forward to seeing the bruise on my hip and shoulder tomorrow...guess I was lucky not to dislocate or break anything really. On the plus side, I now know the brand new SPDs are set at the right tension to release.
Author Info:
Member since Jul 26, 2010
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
3 Comments
- 1 0
FATTY0
(Jul 28, 2011 at 5:41)
Sorry to hear about this jolls, everyone has them though, and you'll know how wide that gap is for next time! Hope your bruises (both the physical and mental) heal quickly! Once you're recovered I am determined that we all go on a ride! get well soon!
- 1 0
trialsmanty
(Jul 28, 2011 at 13:08)
Aww man. "What ceases to kill you, only makes you stronger". We have all done it Big J, get back on that bike ASAP and tackle the same line again so you don't build any mental barriers!!
- 1 0
simongonesurfing
(Aug 8, 2011 at 12:34)
Will not be tackling the same line again - the tape measure proves the gap is narrower than the fool on the bike! It would probably be ok to feed the bars at low speed, but that would defeat the object of keeping the speed up. I'll just go around the tree on the normal line next time.
Login or Sign Up